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Sunday outing key for reliever Rogers

Brewers pitchers Yovani Gallardo and Mark Rogers talk about Milwaukee's young rotation and expectations for the upcoming season

By Adam McCalvy and Tyler Emerick
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MLB.com |

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Mark Rogers is scheduled to start one of the Brewers' split-squad games on Sunday and remains a candidate for the Opening Day bullpen, manager Ron Roenicke said.

The 27-year-old former first-round Draft pick is out of options and reported to camp a candidate for the starting rotation, but experienced a case of "dead arm" that impacted his velocity and command. His last two outings have been simulated games, and the Sunday outing -- either at home against the Rockies or on the road against the Padres -- could be Rogers' last chance to discover his velocity and command.

Is it possible for those traits, missing in recent weeks, to simply re-appear?

"Well, I think so," Roenicke said. "It seems to do it for him during the season. Some guys, for whatever reason, it just takes a while to get that velocity. We're still waiting for a couple of guys."

Rogers' status will determine how many openings remain in a relief corps already expected to include closer John Axford, left-handers Tom Gorzelanny and Michael Gonzalez and right-handers Burke Badenhop, Jim Henderson and Brandon Kintzler. It appears the Brewers are open to carrying eight relievers to start the season.

"I see it [going down] to the last few days," Roenicke said. "I don't see us making any decision before that. Each one of them brings something a little bit different."

Figaro and Stinson could deliver "length," Roenicke said. Olmsted is a one-inning man but posses a power arm and a cross-body delivery that could be very tough on right-handed hitters.

Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brew Beat, and follow him on Twitter at @AdamMcCalvy. Tyler Emerick is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.